Robert D. “Bob” Mazur, a former art professor at Bowling Green State University and professional painter, died Aug. 15 at his home in Bowling Green. He was 77.

His wife, Lynne, said Mr. Mazur had several health issues, but the family is unsure of the cause of death.

“This was totally unexpected,” Mrs. Mazur said. “He died in his sleep.”

As an artist, Mr. Mazur was known for his abstract paintings. His work hangs in many private homes as well as institutions such as the Wood County Hospital, Owens Corning, Owens-Illinois, Huntington Bank, and Time Inc.

He was most recognized for a yearslong series inspired by photographs of water scenes, many of which he took himself when diving. Mrs. Mazur’s said her favorite is one he gave to her in 1978 when she was promoted at work, which hangs over the fireplace.

“This particular painting was from underneath a boat, and the boat had leaked oil, so there’s all these colors,” she said.

Bowling Green State University, from which he retired in 1998, also has a number of his pieces. Mr. Mazur received his undergraduate degree in 1960 at BGSU, then he completed a master’s degree in 1965.

He taught for a few years in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Afterward, he began his career at BGSU as an intern instructor.

Mr. Mazur held a number of positions within the art department in his more than 33 years, including dean’s council, advisory chair, acting and assistant director, and graduate coordinator.

Ron Jacomini, a graduate school classmate and longtime colleague and friend of Mr. Mazur, said the painter was a beloved professor at the university who dedicated himself fully to his students.

“He spent a lot of time advising them beyond the classes,” Mr. Jacomini, a graphic designer and photographer, said. “He was a very, very popular teacher.”

Mr. Mazur taught a class about the business side of making art, coaching his students that creating art was similar to any other job.

“It started off as a summer workshop-type thing,” Mr. Jacomini said. “The students loved it. They got so much out of that.”

Mr. Mazur told The Blade in 2009 that his greatest challenge was motivating students to put his lessons to work.

“If you wait for inspiration, you’re going to make but two paintings a year,” Mr. Mazur said. “I think the difficult thing to get across to students is it’s a job, like any other job. ... The paintings in your head don’t count. It’s the paintings you can hold.”

And Mr. Mazur followed his own advice.

“I have a house full of his paintings, and it delights me,” Mrs. Mazur said. “It’s very comforting and adds to the memories.”

He stayed in touch with many students, frequently sending letters that he jokingly signed with the names of historical or celebrity figures just for fun.

“I’m awe-struck by the number of students who have called and said, ‘He changed my life,’ ” Mrs. Mazur said.

As a younger man, Mr. Mazur was also successful as an amateur boxer, fighting in a number of weight classes at national Amateur Athletic Union events.

Mr. Mazur gave up boxing after losing a finals match that, if he had won, would have set him up to face Cassius Clay, now known as Muhammad Ali, in Kentucky.

“We had a couple of kids, and he wanted to spend more time at home,” Mrs. Mazur said.

Mr. Mazur was born Feb. 22, 1938, to Frank and Alice Mazur in Toledo. He married Lynne Whitaker in 1957, and the couple would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary today.

“He loved life and had a great sense of humor,” she said.

Mr. Mazur is survived by his wife, brother Gary Mazur, sons Mark and Scot Mazur, daughter Michelle Dorsey, and seven grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Dunn Funeral Home and the funeral will be private, but a memorial service will be held at BGSU on May 14, 2016.

The family suggests tributes to a scholarship fund in his memory. Checks made payable to the “BGSU Foundation Inc.” in memory of Robert D. Mazur can be sent to the BGSU Foundation, 132 Administration Building, Bowling Green, OH, 43403.

Contact Alexandra Mester: amester@theblade.com, 419-724-6066, or on Twitter @AlexMesterBlade.

First Published August 24, 2015, 4:00 a.m.